Who: Moderated by Ryan Wilbur, Defenders of Wildlife’s Rockies and Plains Representative, the panel is composed of Avery Shawler, Project Coordinator for the Wood River Wolf Project in wolf-occupied Blaine County, Idaho; Dr. Barry Noon, wildlife biologist at Colorado State University; Jose Miranda, manager of a cattle ranch on Colorado’s Western Slope; and Sheppard Hobgood, an elk hunter from southern Colorado.

Why: In 1945, the last wolf in Colorado was killed, the culmination of a state-wide campaign to eradicate predators through shooting, trapping and poisoning. Since then, the loss of this top predator has altered our state’s flora and fauna. For example, the absence of wolves in Rocky Mountain National Park allows elk to browse extensively on vegetation along rivers and streams, which has led to erosion and degradation of habitat for a variety of birds and aquatic species. Restoring wolves to Colorado would restore our state’s natural balance. Panelists from various perspectives will discuss the importance, benefits and challenges of gray wolf conservation in Colorado.

Seating is limited and reservations are required. Please contact Caitlin Cattelino at 720-943-0452 or ccattelino@defenders.org for more information and to reserve your spot.

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Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1.2 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit www.defenders.org and follow us on Twitter@DefendersNews.